It centers on microwave (MW) radiation effects on brain metabolism through mitochondrial dysfunction and the reduction of the ATP generated.

In mitochondria MW causes structural damage, with experiments that show they are swollen and vacuolated, with cristae that were disordered and fewer in number, and a general mitochondrial degeneration demonstrated by myelin-like structures and occasional dense deposits. Also there are dysfunctions in the mitochondrial energy metabolism with a reduction in mitochondrial ATP synthesis, decreased succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and suppressed cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity (two of the key enzymes of mitochondrial energy metabolism).

It also review abnormal expression of the genes encoding the respiratory chain that result in brain energy metabolism disorders.

" MW radiation downregulates the COX I gene encoded by mitochondrial DNA in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the changes in gene expression caused by MW radiation are important factors in mitochondrial dysfunction and brain energy failure."

In an important way there is the damaged mitochondrial membrane:

" The structural damage of the mitochondrial membrane is one of the most important mechanisms of MW radiation-induced disturbance of brain energy metabolism. Mitochondria are organelles wrapped by a double membrane, with the inner membrane forming cristae, which increase the surface area of the mitochondrial membrane greatly. As biofilms are targets of electromagnetic radiation [41], it can be inferred that the structural characteristics of mitochondria determine its high sensitivity to MW radiation-induced injury."